Lacson says resignation as Blue Ribbon chair ‘final answer’

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Tuesday stood firm with his decision to resign as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee despite the appeal of some senators for him to reconsider. 

“When I say ‘no,’ it’s ‘no.’ When I say ‘yes’ it’s ‘yes.’... Final answer,” Lacson said in an ambush interview. 

Lacson on Monday resigned as Blue Ribbon committee chairman, citing the dissatisfaction of fellow senators on the "direction" of the legislative inquiry on the alleged anomalous flood control projects for his resignation.

He said that some senators “publicly and secretly pursue the narrative that [he is] zeroing in on several of my colleagues while purportedly protecting those members of the Lower House perceived to be the principal actors in the budget anomalies related to the substandard and ghost flood control projects.”

“To all my colleagues, let me reiterate: there are no political considerations in any and all my actions related to my handling of the committee hearings and other related activities. Truth is, I do not need to amass political capital, much less at the expense of anybody, because I entertain no further political plans after my term ends in 2031,” Lacson said. 

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan earlier expressed hope that Lacson will reconsider his decision, and appealed to colleagues in the majority bloc to reaffirm their support for him “to stay on even as we iron out our differences.”

Senator Lito Lapid also said he respects Lacson’s decision, but emphasized that the latter is needed to lead the committee. 

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has identified five senators as possible replacements, namely: Pangilinan, JV Ejercito, Pia Cayetano, Raffy Tulfo, and Risa Hontiveros.

Ejercito said Tuesday that he is not interested in becoming the next chairman of the Blue Ribbon panel.  

“Salamat sa konsiderasyon para maging chairman ng Blue Ribbon Committee pero alam ko ang limitasyon ko. Mas maraming mas may kakayanan na mag-chair ng importanteng committee na ito,” he said. 

(Thank you for considering me to be the next chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee but I know my limits. There are many more capable of chairing this important committee.)

Tulfo, meanwhile, said that he will also decline the post if it is offered to him. 

“I'm very flattered that my name is being considered among four other senators for the prestigious Blue Ribbon Committee chairmanship. However, if offered to me, I will humbly decline for the simple reason that I don't want to lose focus on my three committee chairmanships that are my main advocacies — Labor, Migrant Workers and Public Services,” he said in a statement. —RF, GMA Integrated News